Thamudic (Musnad al Shamali)

Thamudic script is the most ancient Arabian script. The script was
used from about 1500 BC to the 4th or 3rd century BC. Stones inscribed
with Thamudic script are generally found in northern Saudi Arabia but
have been found from many parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Stones inscribed
with Thamudic script form the largest part of the Museum's epigraphic
collections.

This script consisted of 28 letters and was written left-to-right,
right-to-left, or top-to-bottom.

Thamudic inscription (1)
On right "Habar" (person's name); on left "Maslad"
(person's name)
35cm x 46cm x 20cm
NMSA: 836
Written from top to bottom.

Thamudic inscription (2) "L'radh"
(or "LRD" or "Lirad"), name of a pre-Islamic
god in northern Arabia.
33cm x 30cm x 10cm
NMSA: 803
Written from right to left.